“Enjoy the unique adventure of bike and beer”
7 Day Flanders Classic Bike and Beer Tour in Belgium
Ghent, Flemish Brabant, Flemish Region, Belgium
Belgium Cycling and Breweries Tour
This Flanders Classic tour takes you through the quintessential cities, villages and landscapes in the Flanders region of Belgium. The route will also travel through historical WW1 memorials and battlefields surrounding the city of Ypres. Starting in Ghent, you will be cycling to Oudenaarde, Kortrijk, Watou, and Brugge. You will visit a number of great breweries and learn from the masters of the craft what makes Belgian beer so special. This trip is for all levels of cyclists, the days vary from 20-50 miles of relatively flat riding along cycle paths and rural roads following canals in Flanders. If you are adventurous, some of the most iconic cobbles and climbs from the Tour de Flanders are available as add-ons. This tour includes many of owner Bob’s favorite Belgian towns, beers, and bike routes.
Key information
- Trip type: Guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Terrain: Relatively flat
- Starts and ends in Ghent
- Total Distance: 180 Miles / 289 Kilometers
- Bike type: Road bike
- Group tour, maximum 12 participants
Meet the instructors
Bob
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Highlights
- 5 riding days, with bike rental included and possibility to bring your own bike
- Huyghe ‘Delirium’ Brewery, the Tour de Flanders Museum, and the Liefmans Brewery
- Visit to the Brouwerij Verhaeghe Vichte famous for the Duchesse de Bourgogne
- Travel through historical WW1 memorials and battlefields surrounding the city of Ypres
- Your guides are knowledgeable about beer, cycling, safety, and more
- one guide for every six people to ensure you a personal experience
- Lunches on riding days and two beer-themed dinners
- 6 nights accommodation with healthy breakfast
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
6 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 12 participants
Accommodation
Fantastic Lodging
Your accommodation will be in small inns or 3-4 start hotels based on double or single occupancy as per your choice. A quality night's sleep and a great breakfast are only two of the things Beer & Bike Tours look for in lodging. They also find specialty lodging that has space for you to relax after your rides and is local and sustainable.
They try to book local hotels and bed-and-breakfasts that will give you a feel for the area. All the selected hotels are clean and well-kept. They have chosen them based on both personal experience and references from other travelers. If there is a hotel in the area of a tour they offer that you are interested in, let them know and they will try and accommodate your request.
Beer & Bike Tours will be happy to book your travel before and after your tour. Send them your arrival dates and they will sort everything on your behalf.
Program
Participant requirements
- Must be able to cycle the distance each day
- Must be at least 18 years old to drink beer
Itinerary
Day 1 - Ghent
You start in the wonderful medieval city of Ghent and visit the Huyghe ‘Delirium’ Brewery before a pre-tour dinner.
Day 2 - Ghent to Oudenaarde
After breakfast, you begin your ride along the canal to Oudenaarde where you will visit the Tour de Flanders Museum and the Liefmans Brewery.
- Distances: 30 miles / 48 kilometers
Day 3 - Oudenaarde to Kortrijk
Today’s highlight is a visit to the Brouwerij Verhaeghe Vichte famous for the Duchesse de Bourgogne. In Kortrijk, you will relax at the hotel and enjoy this wonderful city dating to the 13th century.
- Distances: 25 miles / 40 kilometers
Day 4 - Kortrijk to Watou/Poppering
This ride is packed with historical stops including Ypres. Ypres is in the center of Flanders Fields and is home to one of the best WWI museums in the world. After exploring Ypres, you will ride on to the Abbey of Sint Sixtus. It is here they brew the Westvleteren beers that are renowned as some of the best in the world.
- Distances: 50 miles / 80 kilometers
Day 5 - Watou/Poppering to Brugge
Waking up surrounded by hop fields, you will cycle past windmills and small villages on your way to Brugge. Cycling along the coast, you will experience more WW1 history and enjoy the far western parts of Flanders along the way before arriving in Brugge.
- Distances: 45 miles / 72 kilometers
Day 6 - Brugge to Ghent
Today you cycle along the Brugge - Ghent canal back to Ghent for a celebratory night on the town and a visit to the Gentse Stadsbrouwerij Gruut.
- Distances: 30 miles / 48 kilometers
Day 7 - Departure
After breakfast together in the morning, you’ll check out of the hotel and part ways until the next adventure. Extra days in Ghent can be arranged.
Great guides
The guides are travelers who love to share stories and adventures with you. They are all knowledgeable about beer, cycling, safety, and more.
Bike rental or bring your own
Comfort and enjoyment are key to a successful tour. Beer & Bike Tours have rentals available for you or you are welcome to bring your own bicycle.
Options for less riding or non-riding partners
Definitely. Beer & Bike Tours can alter routes to accommodate all riding levels.
Average mileage
The daily average is between 20 to 50 miles. However, on some tours, there will be longer days. If you would like to ride more or less, they can sort that out for you.
Riding difficulty
The riding is as challenging as you want to make it. By keeping the groups small, Beer & Bike Tours can adjust a daily ride for the whole group or an individual without hassle. There is always a way to make a longer day of it if you would like. If for any reason you wish to ride in the van for a bit or a whole day, you are more than welcome to.
Group size
In a word, small. Beer & Bike Tours keep the groups small unless you have a larger group you want to all come on the same tour. They limit their group size to 12 participants and at least one tour leader. There is at least one guide for every six people to ensure you a personal experience.
Age requirement
A parent, for safety reasons, must accompany all participants under 18. If you are bringing along your children, send Beer & Bike Tours an inquiry so they can help find the right tour for your family.
Trip preparation
General cycling fitness is all that is required. Beer & Bike Tours will provide you with training advice to help you make the most of your tour when you arrive. The better your cycling shape, the more you will enjoy your trip
Instructors
Bob Williams
Bob is the founder of Beer & Bike Tours. Bob began exploring on his bicycle when the training wheels came off. With an extensive touring and travel experience, Bob still loves a new adventure and is excited to share them with you. As are the other guides, Bob is trained in first aid and an experienced mechanic just in case there is a bump in the road along the way. Bob is also a Certified Beer Server and is working on his Cicerone certification.
Location
Belgium is the best place to be a beer-drinking cyclist. The Belgians are passionate about their cycling and even more passionate about their beer. The cycling paths and routes, historic cities, and friendly locals make Belgium an unforgettable holiday.
Bike & Beer Tours created their Belgian tours with the help of the Flemish tourism office in 2014; they have visited over 50 breweries and cycled thousands of miles crafting their adventures.
Wonderful routes
The routes are developed for beauty and enjoyment, as well as to sample the best beers in the region. They cater each tour to the guests they have with them.
Food
Daily breakfast, lunches on riding days, and two beer-themed dinners are included in the package.
Amazing craft beer
One of the cornerstones of what Beer &Bike Tours does is seek incredible craft beer to experience and enjoy. Meet small brewers and learn what makes the story of each brew amazing and unique.
Kosher, vegan, veggie, or allergies accommodated?
What you want to eat is entirely up to you. If you let Beer & Bike Tours know your dietary needs, they will sort it out for you. Their sign-up form has a short medical section, please list any allergies or conditions you may have so they can serve your needs better while on holiday.
If you do not drink is a Beer & Bike Tour for you?
While Beer & Bike tours do involve tasting and sampling beer, the tour is primarily a cycling tour. Considering the small nature of the group size, it would be no problem to accommodate a non-drinking member on the tour.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- All lodging during the adventure (6 nights) with breakfast
- Lunch on all riding days
- Two beer-themed dinners
- Guided routes, cue sheets, and ride information
- If you bring your own bike please make sure to have the ability to carry your gear. The cycling is mellow so cycling with stuff is not difficult.
- Bike and pannier rental
- You will be able to store your extra travel luggage at the hotel in Ghent during the week
What's not included
- Transportation to and from the start of the tour
- Additional drinks beyond what is included
How to get there
Recommended Airports
BRU
Brussels Airport (Zaventem Airport)
55 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 10% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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